Platter

Mikołaj Józef Radziwiłł (1736-1813) ordered a service from the Korzec factory, which his daughter Konstancja (1796-1824) received as dowry when she married General Czudowski (his given name is unknown) in 1820. It is unknown how many elements the service originally consisted of, but only twenty-seven vessels from it have survived in Polish museums. Nonetheless, it must have been magnificent, as the position of the Radziwiłł family required that the maiden receive a worthy dowry. The decoration of the vessels is modest but refined, and besides its aesthetic qualities, it contains hidden, symbolic content. The golden ornaments with the motif of palmettes and lotus flowers refer to antiquity. The symbols woven into them are also of ancient origin: the caduceus, the chalice of Hygieia (also known as Aesculapius' serpent) and ouroboros. The caduceus, i.e., a staff with wings entwined by two snakes, in Greek and later Roman mythology was an attribute of the god Hermes (in Roman mythology – Mercury) and had the power to ease disputes and reconcile enemies. The image of a cup entwined with a snake is still a symbol of health, for example, in pharmacy. The ouroboros represents a snake swallowing its tail as an ancient symbol of infinity and eternal rebirth; it appears twice on the platter. Inside the circle it encircles is the owner's monogram 'KC', and in the other is a violet flower. The tricolour violet symbolises modesty, innocence, fidelity, constancy in feelings, in a word, the qualities expected from a bride. The symbols presented at Constance's service were to augur a long and happy married life in health, mutual love, and harmony. Unfortunately, they were of little use because she died young, just four years after the wedding.

Barbara Czajkowska